The Fossil Field Traditional Geocache

The Fossil Field

What is a fossil? Here's the definition of a fossil:

¹fos·sil : a remnant, impression, or trace of an organism of past geologic ages that has been preserved in the earth's crust

There is something very cool about finding a fossil and realizing that you are holding the remnants of something that was once alive millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Children, and many adults, are fascinated by fossils and finding one is always a real treat. Fossils are formed when an animal or plant dies and is quickly buried by sinking in mud or being covered by dirt or sand. Over time, more and more sediment covers the remains of the plant or animal. Over time, water infused with minerals seeps into the bones of the animal or the fibers of the dead plant and replaces the chemical in the bone or fiber with rock-like minerals. This process, which takes literally thousands to millions of years, results in a heavy rock-like copy of the original object which we know as a fossil.

These are fossils of some plants that I picked-up at the cache site. I didn't even have to search for them all I had to do was look down at the ground. There is no doubt that you will find a fossil at the site of the geocache:

On one trip to this area, my son found an entire fossilized fern leaf that he now proudly displays in his room. 

By visiting this geocache, you will not only have a chance to trade trinkets in the cache, but also find a fossil as a souvenir of your trip to 'The Fossil Field'.  As a teenager, I visited the area hundreds of times with my friends. I have also taken my children to this area for them to find their own fossils.

The geocache was originally placed by bodisafa from Mobile, AL and I have adopted the cache since he lives about 4-5 hours from the area. The area where the cache is located is near the site of the New Century Mining Company, which is currently mining coal from the old Gurnee Mines. The Gurnee Mines date back to the Civil War where the Confederacy mined coal to feed the Confederate iron furnaces at nearby Tannehill Ironworks and Brierfield Ironworks and at the rolling mills in Helena, AL. This entire area is literally filled with history dating back to millions of years ago, through the Civil War to today where the area is still producing coal and the fun experience of geocaching and finding fossils.

'The Fossil Field' was created by the old mine depositing the refuse from the coal mining operation. This refuse consists of sedimentary rock that does not contain coal but is a fossil hunter's dream come true.

The area where the geocache is located is a bit 'off the beaten path' and there's some information you should be aware of before you begin your trek to the geocache. You can reach the cache area via a Shelby County highway, but be advised this highway is unpaved and is basically a one lane road. During the day, this road can be quite busy with trucks coming and going from the nearby mine. Use care when traveling on the highway. If you happen to look on a map (depending on what map you use) you may think you can reach the cache area from Helena. This is no longer possible. Several years ago a bridge near the cache area was closed by the county due to safety concerns. You will have to approach the cache area from a different direction. Also, as you travel the county highway on the way to the cache location you may notice that the cache seems extremely close to the road at one point. Please don't think of parking on this one lane road in an attempt to bushwhack your way to the cache as there is a small access road very near the cache which will allow you to exit the single lane highway and park in a safe area which is only about 100 yards from where the cache is hidden.

I have been considering placing a cache in this area and I'm glad that bodisafa took the initiative to do so. The original container hidden by bodisafa is a small, red Tupperware container protected by a Ziploc bag. The original contents consisted of a child's game, a small flashlight, a portable corkscrew (to help celebrate geocache finds) and a couple of other small trinkets. The cache container is fairly small and only measures about 6" X 6" X 1.5" so if you want to trade trinkets, make sure to bring a small one. The container also contains a geocaching information sheet. I included a page to serve as a log. You will need to bring your own pen to sign the log, as the original pen was not functioning.

Both bodisafa and I both hope that you enjoy your trip to 'The Fossil Field' and make sure to pick-up a fossil to remember your trip.

*BONUS* If you enjoy benchmark hunting and are feeling adventurous, there is a very historic benchmark fairly near the area. The benchmark (at the time of this cache being posted) is 100 years-old and is located on a bridge that crosses the Cahaba River. In 1865, Wilson's Raiders crossed this bridge on their march towards the rolling mill in Helena, which they eventually razed. To view the details of the benchmark click here. If you have the time to visit this benchmark, you will have the opportunity to log one of the oldest existing benchmark disks in the State of Alabama.